Greek Mythology: “Dionysian Mysteries”.-

►Greek Mythology: “Dionysian Mysteries”:

Dionysus is best known in Greek mythology as the god of wine, but he has also been associated with peace, agriculture, law, civilization, and most especially, the theatre. In Thrace he was known as Eleutherios, “the Liberator,” or Liber Pater, “the Free One,” because he freed people through drunken ectasy

The place of origin of the Hellenic Dionysian Mysteries is unknown, but they almost certainly first came to Greece with the importation of wine, which is widely believed to have originated, in the West, around 6000 BC in one of two places, either in the Zagros Mountains (the borderlands of Mesopotamia and Persia, both with their own rich wine culture since then) or from the ancient wild vines on the mountain slopes of Libya / North Africa (the source of early Egyptian wine from around 2500 BC, and home of many ecstatic rites), quite probably from both

Wine probably also entered Greece over land from Asia Minor. But it was most likely in Minoan Crete that the eclectic ‘wine cult’, that would become the Dionysian Mysteries, first emerged

The basic principle beneath the original initiations, other than the seasonal death-rebirth theme supposedly common to all vegetation cults (such as the Osirian, which closely parallels the Dionysian), was one of spirit possession and atavism. This in turn was closely associated with the effects of the wine. The spirit possession involved the invocation of spirits by means of the bull roarer, followed by communal dancing to drum and pipe, with characteristic movements(such as the backward head flick) found in all trance inducing cults.

Unlike many trance cults however, the Dionysian rites were primarily atavistic, that is the participant was possessed by animal spirits and bestial entities, rather than intelligible divinities, and may even “transform into animals”. A practise preserved by the riteof the “goat and panther men” of the “heretical” Aissaoua Sufi cult of North Africa, and remembered in the satyrs and sileni of the Dionysian procession, and perhaps even the “bull man”, or Minotaur, of the chthonic Minoan labyrinth.

The purpose of this atavism is controversial, some see it simply as a Greek saturnalian catharsis, a ritualised release of repressed elements of civilised psychology, and temporary inversion, in order to preserve it, others see it as a return to the “chaotic” sources of being and essentially a reaction against civilisation, while yet others regard it as a magical connection with chthonic powers

Nietzsche rather identified with the Dionysian principal that corresponded to Schopenhauer’s conception of Will, the principal of submerging oneself into a greater whole. Music, drunkenness, dancing, and madness were considered Dionysian characteristics because they apply to the instinctive, chaotic, and ecstatic side of the human mind.

•Further Information: “The Villa of the Mysteries” or “Villa dei Misteri” is a well preserved ruin of a Roman Villa which lies some 400 metres northwest of Pompeii, southern Italy.

The Villa is named for the paintings in one room of the residence. This space is decorated with very fine frescoes, dated 79 B.C. Although the actual subject of the frescoes is hotly debated, the most common interpretation of the images is scenes of the initiation of a woman into a special cult of Dionysus, mystery cult hat required specific rites and rituals to become a member.

The Greek Mythology works in a way to symbolize ethics, principals, weaknesses, aberrations etc. It has to be carefully interpreted, same way as riddles. Very interesting! Thanks Aquileana for the treat! 🙂

Fascinating! For a while now I’ve viewed trance rituals as our ingenious method for exploring the ethereal; something going all the way back to the first animal cults. Ritualistic use of music, rhythmic drumming more specifically, circular chanting, and repetitive dancing were discovered devises – tools of trance – used to override an individual’s sensory apparatus and transport them from the ordinary into the extra-ordinary. From a physiological perspective patterned, cyclical, and monotonous rhythm swamps the perennial lobe where concepts of ‘self’ reside; literally inducing a loss of self or depersonalisation in the individual. As the ceremony proceeds and the notion of ego melts the participant in the ritual becomes part of something larger, something collective, and most importantly, something non-terrestrial. Neurologically, a tear is made in their conscious self’s and they are elevated to an entirely supernatural platform. From the molecular perspective it’s a biochemical recipe of mostly adrenalin, ACTH, serotonin, and dopamine which come together to create the physiological and perceptual effect of ecstasy.

Thanks sweetheart… I am glad that you enjoyed it … The Villa of Mysteries is marvelous isn’t it?… Will be posting on the Beauty and the Sublime according to Greeks next week… I will send you an email in any case if I need you, ok?

Just watched this fascinating video: “Dyonisiac Frieze, Villa of Mysteries, Pompeii” (In English). Thanks for including it in your wonderful post.

I visited Pompeii on our way to Australia in 1964, but not the Villa of Mysteries. The citizens of Pompeii knew how to enjoy life, feasting on good food and good wine, as the frescoes testify. The history of wine and getting tipsy seems to have its origins in the desire to be transported to another level of consciousness or unconsciousness, when letting your hair down feels so liberating, away from the restraints imposed by reason and social codes. What a shame alcohol does not agree with me any more!!! 🙂

I do like the exuberant Dyonisus, but he needs to be tamed by Apollo from time to time, as Nietzsche recommended.

Hi dear Irina…
Thank you very much for sharing your experiences with regard to your trip to Pompeii… How marvelous and I really hope to visit Italy soon or later as my family name is Italian and there is even a town in Vicenza called “Pedemonte”!
I loved reading your words tonight and particularly agree with your statement above:”I do like the exuberant Dionysus, but he needs to be tamed by Apollo from time to time, as Nietzsche recommended”… Absolutely, my friend.
Best wishes and happy weekend to you,
Aquileana 😛

Amalia Pedemonte…Do you have relatives in Italy? Where is Vicenza? I haven’t seen much of Italy, unfortunately. We left Europe quite young, and I’ve been back only once. These days I travel around the world sitting in my armchair, enjoying pretty landscapes and works of art on TV. Make sure you travel while young.

Hi, sweet Aquileana! Thank you for the thorough research and a very informative post. I knew very little about these Mysteries, only a common knowledge. Thank you for the video, it is so interesting. You are doing a wonderful job! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
With friendship, Inese

Fascinating post on Dionysus who is best known in Greek mythology as the god of wine. As always, I am fascinated how you relate the Greek Gods to modern philosophy and Crete mythology. I can see why Dionysus was a favorite god as he was associated with feasting and drunken ecstasy. Thanks for sharing your insight.

Thank you very much for taking time to reda in depth and share your insights here, dear Linnea…
You are right, there is a clear association between ecstasy and drunkenness and dionysian festivals… One thing leads to the other, right?
Best wishes and happy weekend,
Aquileana 😛

Your posts never fail to amaze me with a new-found sense of wonder. Each writing is rich not only in text, but in pictures to accompany it as well. I can only imagine the arduous work that goes into the research and writing.
Cheers to you, Aquileana!

Your exposition of these mysteries in Greek mythology has given us another interesting insight. The human mind is very complex, psychologists and philosophers still differ in their theories today. Thank you for all your research and sharing, Aquileana. 🙂 Love, Iris.

Lovely … I’ve always felt a warm spot for Dioniso (let me write it in Italian) in a world of epic heroism .. he allowed people to have a good time … and interesting post … haven’t seen the video yet, but bookmarked so I can later. Thanks for another interesting post.

Hi dear Georgia…
I am glad that you enjoyed the post and hope that you can also check out the videos as they are worth watching!.
I hope all is going well over there. I will visit you soon!.
Best wishes, cara amica!,
Aquileana 😀

OMG, at secondary school, all classes make a tableau with photos of the class members and the teachers in the last year. My class did it in such a way that the class was in the underworld and our teachers were the Greek gods. Our math teacher drank a lot – so he became Dionysos. The literature teacher asked him before whether he were be offended by it…

This is a great post. Like someone wrote before, I’d also recommend Dona Tartt’s Secret History, which I remember as a fun read and presents a contemporary attempt at recreating the Dyonisian mysteries in a college setting. Other than that, I’d be much interested in a similar summary/analysis of the role of wine and intoxication in the Bible (or parts of it), as I think that most readings of it have been too heavily influenced by puritanism and/or more Apollonian pursuits. Best wishes and keep it coming ! alfonso

Thank you very much for your thoughtful words here…
I definitely will have to read Dona Tartt’s “Secret History”…
You are right as to the apollonian influences among the most well known biblical tales… Very well said!.
Best wishes to you and happy week ahead, Aquileana 😀

Hello Aquileana, I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed this post and the post about Demeter. I have a real fascination for Greek mythology, the Gods and Goddesses certainly got up to mischief, didn’t they? I wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of their wrath ha ha!
It’s always a great pleasure to come to your blog, so interesting and so well written, I just wanted to say very well done and thank you.

Love this post and wish I would have made it here sooner, but summer beckons… and wine was also involved this weekend as well 😉 I know bits and pieces about the origin of Dionysian festivals due to teaching a brief (and I mean BRIEF) intro to Greek theatre), but would love to learn more. Plus, Jim Morrison used to go on quite a bit about such things as well.

I loved your comment… First of all, glad to know that you also held tribute to Dionysos on Saturday! 🙂
Secondly, I have also studied these topics when I was at High School, it was a sort of preambule or anteroom which led to greek tragedies.
Thanks for bringing back memories to me, J. And mainly for dropping by to read and comment!
Best wishes to you, Aquileana 😀

The ecstasy and the hangover 😀
The women took to Dionysian mysteries like a duck to water. It was their only way to “let their hair” down and relish the little freedom they had.
Thank you for the post Aquileana. Love reading and learning from you.
ciao
Luciana

Always a delight to read and I especially loved the video of The Villa of the Mysteries even though I did not understand your language LOL it did not detract from seeing the paintings as it was depicted from seeing the ruins of the villa..
And Big smiles, as there just had to be a God of Wine lol… 🙂 and was very interested in seeing how wine originated into Greece…
Many thanks as always.. Love my time here learning 🙂 xxx

Thanks Pepper (on a note on your nickname my brother’s name is Pedro/Peter and Pepper is also his nickname 🙂 )
I am really grateful to read your words and happy to know that you enjoyed both, the video and the post here.

I am amazed at how much there is to learn from your blog. Some of what you mention I have learned in architecture studies since Greek architecture was studied intensely, but you go into things I never learned. Very interesting blog posts.

Thank you very much for the beautiful comment. I really appreciate it, dear Donna!…
Glad to know that you enjoyed this one and that it brought you memories on personal aesthetic experiences.
I wish you the very best !.
Aquileana 😀